A social agreement was signed between the Parliamentary Secretariat for Reforms and Equality and the LGBTI+ Gozo union which will lead to the strengthening of the work in favor of equality on the island of Gozo.
Through this agreement, the Government will be supporting the foundations that the organization has built over the last eight years as it is the only non-governmental LGBTIQ+ organization in Gozo. Since its establishment, the association has done very valuable work to increase awareness and knowledge about the LGBTIQ community, therefore with this investment the Government is helping to ensure that the LGBTIQ community in Gozo the necessary services are provided.
Present for this agreement was the Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri and the Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms and Equality Rebecca Buttigieg. The Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri stated that after the progress made in Gozo over the last years when it comes to the LGBTIQ+ community on the island of Gozo, also through the LGBTI+ Gozo union that the Government helped to have the its first office in Gozo, and the first pride march was also organized in Gozo, today we are strengthening this aid through an agreement where the Government will be helping this union also through the workers to these services continue to increase in the island of Goztija.
The Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri thanked the Parliamentary Secretary Rebecca Buttigieg for her work in this field and said that he looks forward to this year where there will be more important events also in Gozo. The Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms and Equality Rebecca Buttigieg said how for this agreement €30,000 has been allocated for one year so that the association can hire a community worker with the aim of the LGBTIQ community in Gozo having a point of reference. “Strengthening equality in Gozo is a principle that this Government strongly believes in because we are also aware that there are still challenges that must be addressed. Therefore the visibility and the creation of a community within Gozo itself is crucial in order to build a more inclusive society.
This aid is part of a chain of initiatives that will culminate next September as Malta will host Europride,” said Parliamentary Secretary Buttigieg. Catherine Camilleri, the coordinator of LGBTI+ Gozo, said, “We are grateful for the Government’s continued support, which allows us to make a difference in the lives of LGBTI+ people in Gozo. With this agreement, we will be able to invest more in our community and thus continue our efforts to further promote equality and inclusion.”
Photos: MGOZ
